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Adrift
From the author of All You Knead Is Love and How to Make Friends with the Sea, an upper middle grade contemporary story of survival and grief about two biracial Filipino cousins whose resilience is tested when one of them is lost at sea.
Cousins Coral and Isa are so close that they're practically siblings; their mothers are sisters, and the two girls grew up on the same small island. When Coral and her parents leave on a months-long sea voyage amid the islands of Indonesia, Isa is devastated that they'll be kept apart, and the two vow to write to each other no matter what.
Then the unthinkable happens, and Coral's boat capsizes at sea, where her parents and the rest of the crew vanish. Washed up on a deserted island, alone and wracked by grief, she must find the strength within to survive, and find her way back home. Meanwhile, Isa is still on Pebble Island, the only one holding out hope that her beloved cousin is still alive.
Told in alternating points of view, this is a powerful story of loss and hope, love and family—and the unexpected resilience of the human spirit.
Cousins Coral and Isa are so close that they're practically siblings; their mothers are sisters, and the two girls grew up on the same small island. When Coral and her parents leave on a months-long sea voyage amid the islands of Indonesia, Isa is devastated that they'll be kept apart, and the two vow to write to each other no matter what.
Then the unthinkable happens, and Coral's boat capsizes at sea, where her parents and the rest of the crew vanish. Washed up on a deserted island, alone and wracked by grief, she must find the strength within to survive, and find her way back home. Meanwhile, Isa is still on Pebble Island, the only one holding out hope that her beloved cousin is still alive.
Told in alternating points of view, this is a powerful story of loss and hope, love and family—and the unexpected resilience of the human spirit.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2022
25 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Guerrero
6 books261 followersTanya Guerrero is Filipino and Spanish by birth, but has been fortunate enough to call three countries home—the Philippines, Spain, and the United States. Currently, she lives in a shipping container home in the suburbs of Manila with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of rescued cats and dogs. She has volunteered for animal welfare organizations since 2008, focusing on Trap/Neuter/Return and Rescue/Foster/Adopt. In her free time, she grows her own food, bakes, and reads. Farrar, Strauss and Giroux BYR has published three of her middle grade books, How to Make Friends with the Sea (2020), All You Knead is Love (2021) and Adrift (2022), which have been nominated for state awards, been selected for the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and been awarded the Gourmand Award for Best Food Fiction. Her adult debut, Cat's People, which she describes as the cat book of her heart, will be published by Delacorte/Penguin Random House on April 1, 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 25, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Harrowing but hopeful, Adrift alternates between the perspectives of two inseparable cousins, Isa and Coral. Although the two can barely stand the thought of being apart while Coral’s family goes on a sea voyage, things take a turn for the worst when the boat capsizes and Coral’s family is lost at sea. Coral, who washes up alone on an island, fights to survive while Isa, at home on Pebble Island, remains hopeful that her cousin is still alive.
I originally wanted to read this solely for the Filipino representation—which I did end up enjoying! However, there was so much more to this than I was expecting. Adrift still has the magic of a middle grade novel where it is curious, heartwarming, and highlights the bravery and faith that children exhibit, while also being dark, detailed, and honest. I loved the exploration of processing difficult emotions and events—such as grief, survival, and uncertainty—through Isa and Coral, which looked different in them than it did in the adult who lost hope much quicker for the sake of “reality.”
Beautiful writing, strong characters, and meaningful themes. The only thing I struggled with was the pacing; at some points, things were a little too slow and this therefore took me over a month to finish, but that wasn’t a huge deal. I recommend this one to anyone who likes middle grade books with themes of friendship/family but wants a plot that is a bit more dark and less common in middle grade fiction.
Harrowing but hopeful, Adrift alternates between the perspectives of two inseparable cousins, Isa and Coral. Although the two can barely stand the thought of being apart while Coral’s family goes on a sea voyage, things take a turn for the worst when the boat capsizes and Coral’s family is lost at sea. Coral, who washes up alone on an island, fights to survive while Isa, at home on Pebble Island, remains hopeful that her cousin is still alive.
I originally wanted to read this solely for the Filipino representation—which I did end up enjoying! However, there was so much more to this than I was expecting. Adrift still has the magic of a middle grade novel where it is curious, heartwarming, and highlights the bravery and faith that children exhibit, while also being dark, detailed, and honest. I loved the exploration of processing difficult emotions and events—such as grief, survival, and uncertainty—through Isa and Coral, which looked different in them than it did in the adult who lost hope much quicker for the sake of “reality.”
Beautiful writing, strong characters, and meaningful themes. The only thing I struggled with was the pacing; at some points, things were a little too slow and this therefore took me over a month to finish, but that wasn’t a huge deal. I recommend this one to anyone who likes middle grade books with themes of friendship/family but wants a plot that is a bit more dark and less common in middle grade fiction.
September 19, 2022
A pulse-pounding story of survival and friendship. It's not easy being shipwrecked... but worrying and waiting at home is no picnic either. If you like survival stories, you're going to love this book!
August 30, 2022
I was obsessed with survival stories when I was a kid, so I was pretty excited to read an own voices survival story set on an island. Unfortunately, I found this story to be pretty boring.
The voices of Coral and Isa are very similar, and kind of adult which I found jarring considering how childish both act.
Isa's POV is mundane, everyday life stuff which became repetitive after the first few of her chapters. Occassionally there would be a flashback to times she spent with Coral, which were undifferentiated from the rest of the text. Her perspective didn't add much for me.
Coral's POV was frustration. Her becoming a quasi-active protagonist, i.e. surviving, doesn't really begin undtil about 25%. She also acts like a typical 13-year-old who hasn't had any experience living off the land, which clashes with her backstory of a wilderness buff father and lots of time spent camping and traveling. For example, she has a knife, and instead of using that to open coconuts she spends a significant amount of time throwing them from a cliff. She doesn't explore the island, she doesn't locate freshwater or better shelter, she doesn't fashion shoes (which she repeatedly complains about not having). Coral doesn't show the cleverness, knowledge, or skills that make a survival protagonist interesting. We don't learn about how to live on an isolated islands. Instead, we see Coral be depressed and inert.
The only reason she survives is that a dog shows up. The dog brings her food. The dog leads her to freshwater. The dog leads her to shetler. The dog shows her an abandoned village, which Coral doesn't take advantage of at all. The dog, frankly, is a better protagonist.
Given Coral's father was a wilderness buff, it's strange she eats things without testing if they're poisonous first. For example, she finds berries some birds are eating. That doesn't automatically make it safe for humans. There's a process to testing unfamiliar things for edibility. Contact tests on your skin, mouth, eating a very small portion, waiting to see if there's a reaction, try a slightly larger amount, etc. Coral doesn't care, she just goes to town.
There are a lot of ways to track vessels. Not that this matters to a middle grade reader, but vessels can be (sometimes must be) equipped with AIS (which can be attached to life jackets), VHF, their course could be followed and any nearby islands checked, etc. And it is incredibly foolish that they "anchored" in the middle of the ocean and all went to sleep. Coral's father is supposed to be a skill sailor, and this flies in the face of safety.
A lot of the logical issues are sort of whatever, that can all be excused by the target age group. I guess.
The main problems, for me, are the slow pace, the boring and meandering scenes, and how excessively contemplative the story is.
The voices of Coral and Isa are very similar, and kind of adult which I found jarring considering how childish both act.
Isa's POV is mundane, everyday life stuff which became repetitive after the first few of her chapters. Occassionally there would be a flashback to times she spent with Coral, which were undifferentiated from the rest of the text. Her perspective didn't add much for me.
Coral's POV was frustration. Her becoming a quasi-active protagonist, i.e. surviving, doesn't really begin undtil about 25%. She also acts like a typical 13-year-old who hasn't had any experience living off the land, which clashes with her backstory of a wilderness buff father and lots of time spent camping and traveling. For example, she has a knife, and instead of using that to open coconuts she spends a significant amount of time throwing them from a cliff. She doesn't explore the island, she doesn't locate freshwater or better shelter, she doesn't fashion shoes (which she repeatedly complains about not having). Coral doesn't show the cleverness, knowledge, or skills that make a survival protagonist interesting. We don't learn about how to live on an isolated islands. Instead, we see Coral be depressed and inert.
The only reason she survives is that a dog shows up. The dog brings her food. The dog leads her to freshwater. The dog leads her to shetler. The dog shows her an abandoned village, which Coral doesn't take advantage of at all. The dog, frankly, is a better protagonist.
Given Coral's father was a wilderness buff, it's strange she eats things without testing if they're poisonous first. For example, she finds berries some birds are eating. That doesn't automatically make it safe for humans. There's a process to testing unfamiliar things for edibility. Contact tests on your skin, mouth, eating a very small portion, waiting to see if there's a reaction, try a slightly larger amount, etc. Coral doesn't care, she just goes to town.
There are a lot of ways to track vessels. Not that this matters to a middle grade reader, but vessels can be (sometimes must be) equipped with AIS (which can be attached to life jackets), VHF, their course could be followed and any nearby islands checked, etc. And it is incredibly foolish that they "anchored" in the middle of the ocean and all went to sleep. Coral's father is supposed to be a skill sailor, and this flies in the face of safety.
A lot of the logical issues are sort of whatever, that can all be excused by the target age group. I guess.
The main problems, for me, are the slow pace, the boring and meandering scenes, and how excessively contemplative the story is.
July 11, 2024
Okay, so the book itself had a pretty decent plot. The characters were great and I loved how they grew and developed over the course of the novel. I love that both Coral and Isa had a character that supported them as they were alone, Coral with Bambi the dog and Isa with Ada.
The pace was good and the plot while predictable, was well thought out and interesting.
I listened to this as an audiobook mostly, and while the narrators were not bad, one thing that got me every time (as in I disliked) was the way the narrator for Coral did the whining noise for Bambi. I ended up being so close to the end of the book that I read the last 2 chapters, and notice that the whining is written as "awww" and that also would not have clicked with me as whining when reading it, though I am not sure how I whine could be written, so it is a tricky one.
Over all it was a pretty good book and I would recommend it to others.
The pace was good and the plot while predictable, was well thought out and interesting.
I listened to this as an audiobook mostly, and while the narrators were not bad, one thing that got me every time (as in I disliked) was the way the narrator for Coral did the whining noise for Bambi. I ended up being so close to the end of the book that I read the last 2 chapters, and notice that the whining is written as "awww" and that also would not have clicked with me as whining when reading it, though I am not sure how I whine could be written, so it is a tricky one.
Over all it was a pretty good book and I would recommend it to others.
October 14, 2022
A mature, amazing story of survival. On the intense side for a middle grade read but I would have loved it as a kid anyhow. Loved LOVED the dog and that relationship, plus the dual perspective of the lost cousin and the cousin at home refusing to give up on her. Cried like a baby at the ending but loved it
September 26, 2022
I've barely read anything this past week, but I picked this one up before bed last night and couldn't set it down. 😮
I *love* wilderness survivor shows. From the tame (Survivor) to the most hard-core (Alone). But I don't think I've ever read a middle grade survival novel set outside the US/Canada and with a non-white protagonist. Not to mention the fact that it was dual pov. I am shook!
If, like me, you or your kids are Tanya Guerrero fans, do not be fooled by her previous sweet contemporaries! She can definitely write survival adventure 💀.
That being said, cw understandably abound here, because there is bird/rodent/fish death (and all steps involved in skinning, plucking, cooking), plenty of physical injuries + mention of blood, malnutrition, human death, huge storms, etc. It kind of reminded me of the ol' classic Hatchet, except BETTER, especially because it had cousins and a dog.
Have you read ADRIFT? And are you a survival nerd too? 👀
I *love* wilderness survivor shows. From the tame (Survivor) to the most hard-core (Alone). But I don't think I've ever read a middle grade survival novel set outside the US/Canada and with a non-white protagonist. Not to mention the fact that it was dual pov. I am shook!
If, like me, you or your kids are Tanya Guerrero fans, do not be fooled by her previous sweet contemporaries! She can definitely write survival adventure 💀.
That being said, cw understandably abound here, because there is bird/rodent/fish death (and all steps involved in skinning, plucking, cooking), plenty of physical injuries + mention of blood, malnutrition, human death, huge storms, etc. It kind of reminded me of the ol' classic Hatchet, except BETTER, especially because it had cousins and a dog.
Have you read ADRIFT? And are you a survival nerd too? 👀
September 25, 2022
I’ve spent 3/4 of my day with Coral and Isa but this is a story that will stick with me for a lifetime. When Coral’s family boat disappears after a storm her Star sister Isabel (Isa) just knows she’s still alive. She continues to push for search and rescue and write to her begging her to come home. This is a moving story of family and survival. It’s one I’ll never forget. #BookPosse
July 20, 2025
I've been shopping library sales to stock my Little Free Library #LFL182597 and it's changed the way I pick what's up next. It's how this book ended up on my TBR. I'd actually set it aside, because while the audio was available from the library, the ebook wasn't in Kindle format. I'm a Kindle snob (even when I'm going primarily with the audio). It was included in KU, and I got a 3-month subscription for Prime Days, so ... Here we go.
I've always enjoyed survival stories (Hatchet, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Call it Courage ...) This was contemporary, and told in two POVsm Coral and Isa, young cousins. A tad reminiscent of the movie Cast Away (both with the "alone on an island" and showing a bit of the "home waiting"). 1st person, past tense (and two different narrators for audio). The chapters had headers indicating the POV - I wish they had also been included in the Table of Contents. I think they switched off consistently, Coral with the odd chapters, Isa with the even - until the very end when Coral gets an extra (even) chapter.
Short chapters - 56 of them, with an unnumbered one to start the story off (Bon Voyage).
I struggled a bit with Cora on the island ... it seemed to indicate that she'd had quite a bit of training in "survival" and roughing it, but then that didn't show much in some of her actions. I didn't see the "survival struggle" and learning like in some of the other past reads (starting a fire on her own instead of having matches in the kit). Too many things "just happened to happen" ...
Overall though, I enjoyed the story. It felt a little like it was pushing very hard to make sure that the reader knows these are "two biracial Filipino cousins" (quote taken from the blurb). I know family history plays a part, but race didn't seem essential to the storyline, therefore it seemed extra the way it was included. To me anyway.
Pronunciations - The movie "My Friend Totoro" ... I haven't seen it (or Kiki's Delivery Service) but recognized them, although I don't think I pronounced Totoro the same (correctly) in my head. Also the Tagalog language (pronunciation). I didn't care for the dog sounds (whining, bark) in the audio narration ... didn't sound at all like a dog to me!
Sneaked (I just note if that or "snuck" is the preferred use in any book) ;)
I like the cover, "Adrift" doesn't totally match for the title, for me, although I guess that could be a point of discussion. This did feel "young" to me, I'm not the intended audience - although I've had some MiddleGrade books I've absolutely loved, even in my old age. I can't help but think this would appeal more to girls ... and both girls are good role models for young readers.
I've always enjoyed survival stories (Hatchet, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Call it Courage ...) This was contemporary, and told in two POVsm Coral and Isa, young cousins. A tad reminiscent of the movie Cast Away (both with the "alone on an island" and showing a bit of the "home waiting"). 1st person, past tense (and two different narrators for audio). The chapters had headers indicating the POV - I wish they had also been included in the Table of Contents. I think they switched off consistently, Coral with the odd chapters, Isa with the even - until the very end when Coral gets an extra (even) chapter.
Short chapters - 56 of them, with an unnumbered one to start the story off (Bon Voyage).
I struggled a bit with Cora on the island ... it seemed to indicate that she'd had quite a bit of training in "survival" and roughing it, but then that didn't show much in some of her actions. I didn't see the "survival struggle" and learning like in some of the other past reads (starting a fire on her own instead of having matches in the kit). Too many things "just happened to happen" ...
Overall though, I enjoyed the story. It felt a little like it was pushing very hard to make sure that the reader knows these are "two biracial Filipino cousins" (quote taken from the blurb). I know family history plays a part, but race didn't seem essential to the storyline, therefore it seemed extra the way it was included. To me anyway.
Pronunciations - The movie "My Friend Totoro" ... I haven't seen it (or Kiki's Delivery Service) but recognized them, although I don't think I pronounced Totoro the same (correctly) in my head. Also the Tagalog language (pronunciation). I didn't care for the dog sounds (whining, bark) in the audio narration ... didn't sound at all like a dog to me!
Sneaked (I just note if that or "snuck" is the preferred use in any book) ;)
I like the cover, "Adrift" doesn't totally match for the title, for me, although I guess that could be a point of discussion. This did feel "young" to me, I'm not the intended audience - although I've had some MiddleGrade books I've absolutely loved, even in my old age. I can't help but think this would appeal more to girls ... and both girls are good role models for young readers.
August 11, 2022
Adrift is a harrowing story of survival and grief involving two biracial Filipino cousins whose strength is tested when one of them is lost at sea.
Coral and Isa are cousins, but are so close that they feel as if they are siblings. Everyone on the island calls them The Star Sisters. Their mothers are sisters, their fathers are brothers, and the two girls are growing up together in Pebble Island, New York. Coral and her parents are leaving on a months-long sea voyage around the islands of Indonesia. Isa will stay and help her mother in their family run bakery. The girls are understandably sad knowing they will be apart for so long, they promise to write to each other no matter what. .
Then a tsunami causes Coral's boat to capsize in the open sea and amazingly Coral, is washed up on a deserted island. There is no sign of her parents. She did manage to grab a meagre survival kit before being washed overboard. Now Coral s struggling to find strength within to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. On the other hand Isa is back home frantic with worry. As time marches on with no sign of the family, Isa is the only one holding out hope that her beloved cousin is still alive. . In fact the authorities say it’s time to call off the search.
As Coral attempts to adapt to her surroundings, she cones across a dog whom she befriends and she becomes her constant companion. She manages to use the skills her parents taught her to find food, water, and to build shelter. Although the food she must consume to survive is pretty disgusting and revealed in rather graphic detail. Starvation will change the outlook on what one will consume to survive. The dog, she has named Bambi, plays a vital role in her survival… in her search for food and also for her mental state, . The perils Coral and Bambi face left this reader holding my breath and hardly able to read fast enough to learn if the two would survive each encounter.
The experience in a most difficult time is agonising and vastly different for both cousins as they wonder if they will they ever be reunited?
This story is packed with realusm and reads as if it truly occurred. Middle and upper grade readers will enjoy this book as they are swept into a world of physical and mental endurance in a beautiful and most challenging setting. The take is revealed in alternating points of view. From Isa and Coral.
This is a gripping and unrelenting story of loss and hope, love and family, and the unexpected resilience of the human spirit. Do not miss this one!
Coral and Isa are cousins, but are so close that they feel as if they are siblings. Everyone on the island calls them The Star Sisters. Their mothers are sisters, their fathers are brothers, and the two girls are growing up together in Pebble Island, New York. Coral and her parents are leaving on a months-long sea voyage around the islands of Indonesia. Isa will stay and help her mother in their family run bakery. The girls are understandably sad knowing they will be apart for so long, they promise to write to each other no matter what. .
Then a tsunami causes Coral's boat to capsize in the open sea and amazingly Coral, is washed up on a deserted island. There is no sign of her parents. She did manage to grab a meagre survival kit before being washed overboard. Now Coral s struggling to find strength within to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. On the other hand Isa is back home frantic with worry. As time marches on with no sign of the family, Isa is the only one holding out hope that her beloved cousin is still alive. . In fact the authorities say it’s time to call off the search.
As Coral attempts to adapt to her surroundings, she cones across a dog whom she befriends and she becomes her constant companion. She manages to use the skills her parents taught her to find food, water, and to build shelter. Although the food she must consume to survive is pretty disgusting and revealed in rather graphic detail. Starvation will change the outlook on what one will consume to survive. The dog, she has named Bambi, plays a vital role in her survival… in her search for food and also for her mental state, . The perils Coral and Bambi face left this reader holding my breath and hardly able to read fast enough to learn if the two would survive each encounter.
The experience in a most difficult time is agonising and vastly different for both cousins as they wonder if they will they ever be reunited?
This story is packed with realusm and reads as if it truly occurred. Middle and upper grade readers will enjoy this book as they are swept into a world of physical and mental endurance in a beautiful and most challenging setting. The take is revealed in alternating points of view. From Isa and Coral.
This is a gripping and unrelenting story of loss and hope, love and family, and the unexpected resilience of the human spirit. Do not miss this one!
August 8, 2022
Thank you to #NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Adrift by Tanya Guerrero. This middle grade novel will be published on September 6, 2022. All opinions are my own.
Coral and Isa are cousins. They’re so close that they’re basically sisters. Isa is sad when Coral and her parents start a months-long sea voyage to explore the islands of Indonesia. The two promise to write to each other no matter what. Then, disaster hits when a storm comes out of nowhere and capsizes Coral’s family’s boat. Coral manages to make it off the boat only to be stranded on a deserted island. She must find the strength to survive and make it home. Meanwhile, back on Pebble Island, Isa is holding onto hope that Cora is still alive.
I enjoyed the survival elements of this story. It offered a unique setting for middle grade survival books as they’re often set in the U.S. wilderness. I liked the focus on family and how close Coral was to her parents and how she survives by remembering things her parents taught her. I love Bambi! She’s cute, loyal, and strong. The story is told through the alternating perspectives of Coral and Isa. This, I didn’t really enjoy. I would have preferred it just be told from Coral’s perspective. I found myself skimming over Isa’s parts, so I could get back to what I felt was the main and more engaging story. This is a book about friendship, grief, and survival. It’s well-written and I think it will interest reader who enjoy books like Peg Kehret’s Escaping the Giant Wave, Rebecca Behren’s Alone in the Woods, and Watt Key’s Deep Water.
Coral and Isa are cousins. They’re so close that they’re basically sisters. Isa is sad when Coral and her parents start a months-long sea voyage to explore the islands of Indonesia. The two promise to write to each other no matter what. Then, disaster hits when a storm comes out of nowhere and capsizes Coral’s family’s boat. Coral manages to make it off the boat only to be stranded on a deserted island. She must find the strength to survive and make it home. Meanwhile, back on Pebble Island, Isa is holding onto hope that Cora is still alive.
I enjoyed the survival elements of this story. It offered a unique setting for middle grade survival books as they’re often set in the U.S. wilderness. I liked the focus on family and how close Coral was to her parents and how she survives by remembering things her parents taught her. I love Bambi! She’s cute, loyal, and strong. The story is told through the alternating perspectives of Coral and Isa. This, I didn’t really enjoy. I would have preferred it just be told from Coral’s perspective. I found myself skimming over Isa’s parts, so I could get back to what I felt was the main and more engaging story. This is a book about friendship, grief, and survival. It’s well-written and I think it will interest reader who enjoy books like Peg Kehret’s Escaping the Giant Wave, Rebecca Behren’s Alone in the Woods, and Watt Key’s Deep Water.
Read
August 17, 2022Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to preview an e-arc of this book! All opinions are my own.
I should admit, up front, that I am a newcomer to the survival subgenre (hence why I am not leaving a star rating), but they remain perennially popular for readers of all ages!
What I appreciated most about Adrift was the dual narratives: one of Coral, who ends up alone on a deserted island and the other of her best friend and cousin Isa, struggling with Coral's disappearance with her grief and sadness. I enjoyed both perspectives, found that they added something I think may get forgotten in all the height of adventurous survival stories-that loved ones are affected too. Some middle-grade readers may find Isa's sections boring or tedious, but I believe they will press on to read more of Coral's adventure. The only parts of Isa's sections that I found tedious were the retellings of Ghibli movies via a side character, but readers who haven't been introduced to My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service may be glad for their inclusion! Coral is a character who is easy to root for, and her mistakes and luck felt realistic. Middle grade readers will find this an engaging beach read.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this title and I am looking forward to checking out Guerrero's backlog and more survival middle grade!
I should admit, up front, that I am a newcomer to the survival subgenre (hence why I am not leaving a star rating), but they remain perennially popular for readers of all ages!
What I appreciated most about Adrift was the dual narratives: one of Coral, who ends up alone on a deserted island and the other of her best friend and cousin Isa, struggling with Coral's disappearance with her grief and sadness. I enjoyed both perspectives, found that they added something I think may get forgotten in all the height of adventurous survival stories-that loved ones are affected too. Some middle-grade readers may find Isa's sections boring or tedious, but I believe they will press on to read more of Coral's adventure. The only parts of Isa's sections that I found tedious were the retellings of Ghibli movies via a side character, but readers who haven't been introduced to My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service may be glad for their inclusion! Coral is a character who is easy to root for, and her mistakes and luck felt realistic. Middle grade readers will find this an engaging beach read.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this title and I am looking forward to checking out Guerrero's backlog and more survival middle grade!
December 18, 2024
⭐️ 2.75 ⭐️
Adrift was…
A book.
I mean, the plot was semi-interesting, and it intrigued me when I first saw it. But it sort of fell flat for me in a lot of different ways.
First off, the way some characters handled their emotions (talking grief, anger, sadness, etc.) was inconsistent. Like, sometimes these really negative emotions were super apparent, and sometimes they should’ve been stronger when they weren’t.
Second, I really didn’t like Isa’s pov, and while there’s always povs in multi-pov books that you may like less, having her pov 50% of the time made it hard for me to enjoy it. I didn’t really like Isa as a character or as a real person, and I liked her pov just as little.
Third, I found the ending unsatisfying. I won’t go into detail, but I didn’t like the lingering and new negative emotions that I saw right up until the end. I guess you could say it makes it more realistic, but for me, it makes it less like able and less book-like, if you know what I’m saying.
All in all, I was not a fan of this book, especially considering it was a much lower grade level than what I usually read (not the book/author’s fault, it just made it even harder for me to enjoy)
(Also if u can’t tell from just how long this book took me to read, it very nearly put me in a reading slump)
Adrift was…
A book.
I mean, the plot was semi-interesting, and it intrigued me when I first saw it. But it sort of fell flat for me in a lot of different ways.
First off, the way some characters handled their emotions (talking grief, anger, sadness, etc.) was inconsistent. Like, sometimes these really negative emotions were super apparent, and sometimes they should’ve been stronger when they weren’t.
Second, I really didn’t like Isa’s pov, and while there’s always povs in multi-pov books that you may like less, having her pov 50% of the time made it hard for me to enjoy it. I didn’t really like Isa as a character or as a real person, and I liked her pov just as little.
Third, I found the ending unsatisfying. I won’t go into detail, but I didn’t like the lingering and new negative emotions that I saw right up until the end. I guess you could say it makes it more realistic, but for me, it makes it less like able and less book-like, if you know what I’m saying.
All in all, I was not a fan of this book, especially considering it was a much lower grade level than what I usually read (not the book/author’s fault, it just made it even harder for me to enjoy)
(Also if u can’t tell from just how long this book took me to read, it very nearly put me in a reading slump)
October 12, 2025
Snippets from Goodreads:
Cousins Coral and Isa are so close; their mothers are sisters, and the two girls grew up on the same small island. When Coral and her parents leave on a months-long sea voyage amid the islands of Indonesia, Isa is devastated that they'll be kept apart, and the two vow to write to each other no matter what. Coral's boat capsizes at sea, where her parents and the rest of the crew vanish. Washed up on a deserted island, alone and wracked by grief, she must find the strength within to survive, and find her way back home. Meanwhile, Isa is still on Pebble Island, the only one holding out hope that her beloved cousin is still alive.
My thoughts:
I felt the extreme longing, the sadness, the rage, as well as hope in Coral and Isa. The rawness of their feelings and actions were so real and sometimes annoying and unforgivable. But once you understand what they're going through and the situation they're in, you would say that they deserve compassion. This book is intended for the upper middle grade readers because of themes of grief, death, and resilience.
‼️SPOILER ALERT‼️
And Tanya, thank you for saving Bambi. Super! That means a lot to me since I'm a fur-parent myself. I can't thank you enough. 🥹💖
Cousins Coral and Isa are so close; their mothers are sisters, and the two girls grew up on the same small island. When Coral and her parents leave on a months-long sea voyage amid the islands of Indonesia, Isa is devastated that they'll be kept apart, and the two vow to write to each other no matter what. Coral's boat capsizes at sea, where her parents and the rest of the crew vanish. Washed up on a deserted island, alone and wracked by grief, she must find the strength within to survive, and find her way back home. Meanwhile, Isa is still on Pebble Island, the only one holding out hope that her beloved cousin is still alive.
My thoughts:
I felt the extreme longing, the sadness, the rage, as well as hope in Coral and Isa. The rawness of their feelings and actions were so real and sometimes annoying and unforgivable. But once you understand what they're going through and the situation they're in, you would say that they deserve compassion. This book is intended for the upper middle grade readers because of themes of grief, death, and resilience.
‼️SPOILER ALERT‼️
And Tanya, thank you for saving Bambi. Super! That means a lot to me since I'm a fur-parent myself. I can't thank you enough. 🥹💖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2023
Coral and Isa are not only cousins but they are pretty much sisters. Their mothers are sisters and they grew up together as sisters as well. One day Coral and her parents decide to leave their small island of Indonesia. Isa doesn't want to part from her cousin and promises that she would write every day. When Coral and her parents leave, a few days into their journey the most unthinkable happens, their boat capsizes during their journey. Coral wakes up, washed ashore on a deserted island. Can Coral survive on this island long enough for help to come? Will Isa give up searching for a cousin? Find out in this amazing book about survival, loss, and most importantly, hope.
This book is for readers who like survival stories.
eBook available on Libby.
Reviewed by: Miss Nessa, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
This book is for readers who like survival stories.
eBook available on Libby.
Reviewed by: Miss Nessa, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
May 18, 2023
Adrift is a well written book perfect for kids. No bad language or bad violence, or stuff that would scare a child. I loved reading Coral and Isa’s story, their struggles, hopes, and the friendship that connects them both- even from different parts of the world. Isa’s belief that her cousin was NOT dead even though every one said she was, and Corals willpower to survive and get home. Those two are the sweetest sister-cousins there are out there, and this story shows the true power of friendship, sisterhood, and willpower. There are plenty of tears, loneliness, heartache and pain in this story, but no matter what the two girls keep believing that they will find a way back to each other. I definitely suggest you to read this sweet heartwarming story. Go ahead- don’t hesitate- get one into your hands and start reading it today.
June 19, 2024
Cousins Isa and Coral rely on their sisterly bond, clinging to hope of reuniting after Coral is stranded on a deserted island following a shipwreck. Exploring themes of survival, hope, family and grief this fast paced novel will likely appeal to older middle grade readers. Throughout the story, I enjoyed how the author sprinkled in a celebration of Filipino culture through language and food that felt natural to the storyline. The short chapters keep the duel perspectives of the cousins moving forward and broke up the book into more manageable chunks. Parts of the story did get a bit darker than I had anticipated and I often found myself concerned over the reckless behavior of a major character. I would likely exercise some light caution when recommending this one, as it may be overwhelming for some young readers.
Necessary spoiler- the dog doesn't die.
Necessary spoiler- the dog doesn't die.
August 20, 2024
Middle Grade
Contemporary / Survival fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ - 4.5 stars
This MG novel is about two cousins, Isa and Coral, who grow up together on the same island and consider themselves sisters. When Coral and her parents don’t return from their sailing trip in the Indonesian Islands, Issa just knows with all her heart that Coral is still alive.
Coral, unfortunately, finds herself alone on a deserted island and must find many ways to survive.
I love survival stories and Coral has a lot of surviving to do, but this is a dual POV story that switches between Coral and her cousin and has a very tight-knit and almost magically connected relationship between the two ‘star sisters’ so there is always a general sense of hope throughout the story.
I enjoyed it very much.
Contemporary / Survival fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ - 4.5 stars
This MG novel is about two cousins, Isa and Coral, who grow up together on the same island and consider themselves sisters. When Coral and her parents don’t return from their sailing trip in the Indonesian Islands, Issa just knows with all her heart that Coral is still alive.
Coral, unfortunately, finds herself alone on a deserted island and must find many ways to survive.
I love survival stories and Coral has a lot of surviving to do, but this is a dual POV story that switches between Coral and her cousin and has a very tight-knit and almost magically connected relationship between the two ‘star sisters’ so there is always a general sense of hope throughout the story.
I enjoyed it very much.
August 10, 2023
I don't typically read adventure / survival books, and I think that factors a lot into my rating. This book wasn't really for me, but I can definitely see how it would appeal to younger readers (middle grade) who are interested in action, adventure, and survival. I think it did pick up pace as it went along, and I liked that it tackled more than just the survival story, including the perspective of Coral's cousin Isa who is trying to continue her life at home without giving up hope that Coral will be rescued. Will definitely keep this in mind while doing reader advisory with middle grade readers.
I read this as a digital ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
I read this as a digital ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
March 20, 2025
All I gotta say is wow! A young girl lost at sea with so many obstacles and her best friend/ cousin Isa alone but she has this feeling that Coral is alive! I loved this book, this was my first survival/ lost at sea book and so glad I read it. To be young and to already be going through so much but then you lose the only person in the world that understands you, I couldn’t fathom this. Every chapter pulled me in more, and I enjoyed the story going back a forth between characters because it had me wanting to finish the book in one sitting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2025
5 stars. I like the way this book was written with two girls telling their side of the story, every other chapter. An engaging story about two "sisters". One girl gets shipwrecked on an island and talks about how she is surviving and how she will get off the island with the help of a special character she meets on the island. The other tells her story set from their beachy hometown. She knows about the shipwreck but doesn't know if her sister is okay or not. She tells about things that are going on back home during this whole time. This would make a fun movie.
January 7, 2023
I think this would have been stronger if it would have just been Coral's story, the one who has to survive on an island after a huge wave out of nowhere caused her family's boat to capsize. Chapter two she is lost at sea (anxiety inducing) but by her next chapter she washes up on an island. The other point of view, her cousin Isa, just describes her mundane life as she waits for news on Coral. I don't think it added anything to the story.
August 12, 2024
Adrift has all the makings of a great modern survival story, however, it never picked up pace for me. There was just enough suspense to keep me reading, but at the end I realized I only finished to learn about what happened to Bambi (Dog companion) and not because I cared for either of the female protagonists. I was hoping this would be a good title for Middle Schoolers, but I think Adrift would be a hard sell next to the "I Survived..." series.
May 25, 2022
I loved the book so much!! Coral and Isa have such a close connection and even when apart they "feel" each others' presence. Coral is so determined to survive and she is lucky to have Bambi, a special pup, by her side. Coral's experiences with missing her parents definitely connected to my heart.
This is a must read!!
This is a must read!!
October 24, 2022
4.5 stars. Fabulous adventure story about a girl shipwrecked on a desert island and her cousin back home desperately hoping for her rescue. Love the bits of tension on the island and at home, realistic feelings throughout, Bambi the dog, and the ending. Only thing I can’t get my mind around is how the dog is on the island and so knowledgeable about it.
November 26, 2022
So many readers like a really good survival story and this one fits the bill. And all of it isn’t pretty with some sad and gory details (I had to re-read that part to make sure I had read it correctly). Another excellent book by this author.
October 5, 2023
Perfect book for the last freakishly hot day of the year. A girl’s deserted island adventure story, interspersed with the sister-cousin back home holding onto hope. Recommend for middle school age and up
November 2, 2024
Great story of cousins who don’t give up on each other in difficult circumstances- quite a few serious topics covered in the book- death of parents, illness, crisis, survival, so I would not recommend for kids who are sensitive or younger.
December 6, 2024
Loved the alternating chapters... loved the Pebble Island "town-feel"... loved the writing style.
Didn't like the overall "plot"... felt a little far-fetched... didn't like the "survival element" of the story. A good read, but I wish the story line took on a slightly different "take."
Didn't like the overall "plot"... felt a little far-fetched... didn't like the "survival element" of the story. A good read, but I wish the story line took on a slightly different "take."
November 8, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus or Netgalley
January 3, 2023
Narrators: Jennifer Aquino & Sura Siu
Audiobook - 5/5
WHAT A GREAT EXCITING BOOK!! It had my on edge on some parts and wow! Loved it.
Audiobook - 5/5
WHAT A GREAT EXCITING BOOK!! It had my on edge on some parts and wow! Loved it.
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